| Makati is one of the major cities in Metro Manila. When you mention the name and the first thing on top of your head is the business district and the commercial space that has been there probably even before you were born. It has heritage and history that goes back to the Spaniards taking over the country. These challenging times during the coronavirus pandemic it is currently deserted.
But it also gave a little bit of clarity what is Makati as a city would probably surprise you that they are TWO cities within. In other countries like in Australia when you say the City of Adelaide it covers what is defined of that location and in the map the border of greenery surrounding it would easily say that’s downtown. Makati is different the marketing “Make It Makai” is just for the Business District Not the City. |
For as long as I’ve been around this country when I went to Makati it is clearly that I’m going to this city. When you say city, it is one place that includes all the residential space covering all locations that makes up this area as a whole. During the first few weeks of the ECQ (Enhance Community Quarantine) people following the “Make It Makati” social media was inquiring if they’re also going to clean up and sanitized possible infected locations in Makati.
The Instagram page was not quick to reply like they’re keeping everyone out of the loop until they revealed what they can only cover. This was explained through one of their posts on IG that the only part “Make It Makati” covering are six nodes within the Central Business District as if this part of Makati is separated from the residential side of Makati that made quite a confusion for some, of course, disappointment.
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| Gil Puyat Avenue is the border that divides the Makati-CBD and Makati (Photo 15 March 2020) |
Makati | Divided By Status
For someone who has been a resident of Makati this is something of a surprise and for those keeping track that is aware about it those who have known would just let you discover the truth for yourself. It appears Makati-CBD is separate from the Makati Government’s jurisdiction when it comes to major and minor management while the side that the city council is managing what they can afford to the local community.
Honestly, I only need clarification based on observation and why the Gil Puyat part before crossing South Super Highway to the end part before exiting via EDSA was poorly managed with some buildings empty that’s almost close to being demolished. Not to forget how the aesthetics regarding the sidewalk before crossing the railway is like sort of a dead space that is so outdated.
“Make It Makati” is divided in six nodes as they claim to only manage, which is within the Central Business District, and that means outside of that ‘is not part of the city.’ Their social media page will refer you to “My Makati” being handled by the ‘City Government” which is ludicrous in so many levels. In my personal opinion it is an outdated concept that obviously separates the rich and the poor.
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| Gil Puyat Avenue that divides the Two Makati Cities shows the aesthetics and quality of the street |
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| Legaspi Village inside Makati-CBD have decent sidewalk aesthetics that can be compared to foreign countries. |
Makati | A Tale of Two Faces
For weeks I have the small window of opportunity to observe nearby areas how the Makati Government’s handling with this pandemic doesn’t fair up compared to the other cities like Manila and Pasig. You won’t hear negativity from residence outside of the Makati CBD because majority of them doesn’t know they’re living in two cities within Makati that most of them don’t even care anymore.
If this was a movie it would be a horror themed film to think when you say “Makati”: now doesn’t hold any meaning anymore. It reveals two sides of what should be one city that’s quite challenging to accept and realize.
Walking around and see how outside the CBD appears to had a not-so good atmosphere that way the streets and sidewalks were built. You’d be surprise that the Adelaide land mass is dwarfed by the entire land mass of Makati combined by the two divided parts of this city. And yet you see two faces that largely can be said of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde persona that seem more consistently defined.
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| Informal Settlers where not round up by Makati Government for the ECQ shows that parts of Makati is divided. |
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| Disorganized side of Makati where you find bags of garbage and folded boxes Informal Settlers. |
Makati | Two Cities with the Same Name
This is the reason why this country is so behind the times in the way everyone thinks and how they behave. Everything is political and primitive in perspective that obviously no need to blurt it out that you’ll probably living a lie for so long you just think it is still it’s the same city that you hoped for.
Well, this isn’t like those world class city that the CBD trying to emulate. But they failed to do so with no excuse as a marketing ploy, while the residential side of Makati where majority of the denizens that pays taxes to make the CBD look pretty are stuck with rut to not have the same experience and feel the same development those big buildings are getting. Clearly, this country doesn’t deserve nice things when you see a city divided in two due to status.
“Make It Makati” should change their marketing and social media promotions to redefine it more for Central Business District area rather than saying it is a City for everybody that doesn’t even cover your area of Makati. It is a head scratcher if you’re not from the Philippines and the reason why things are not what they‘re seem.
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